Lehigh County commissioners back redistricting reform before surprise crowd

The largest crowd to attend a Lehigh County commissioners meeting in years cheered Wednesday night as the board passed a resolution 8-1 calling for redistricting reform in Pennsylvania.

About 80 people, most of them affiliated with the group Fair Districts PA, descended on the meeting to support a resolution calling for an independent citizens commission to draw up legislative district lines in Pennsylvania. Under the current system, two Republican officials, two Democratic officials and a fifth person of their choosing draw up the state's Senate and House district boundaries, as well as its congressional districts, every 10 years following the Census.

Joan Kula, a North Whitehall Township resident who attended the meeting, said she's disgusted with the state's gerrymandering. The districts have been drawn to protect incumbents, preventing voters from having real choices at the polls, she said. While she knows commissioners have little say over statewide redistricting, she hoped citizens will begin showing up in numbers at all government sessions to demand change.

"If they see people really care, maybe we'll start to see them listen to people," Kula said.

Before the meeting, the resolution fell low on the meeting's priorities. The document simply expresses the board's opinion but carries no authority. For reform to occur, the state Legislature would have to approve a constitutional amendment to revamp the redistricting process in two consecutive years, and then the amendment would face a statewide referendum.

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Many are worried that the spotted lanternfly will be infesting homes with real Christmas trees. Many Lehigh Valley tree farmers reported getting relentless inquiries from customers for the first couple weeks of the season.

Many are worried that the spotted lanternfly will be infesting homes with real Christmas trees. Many Lehigh Valley tree farmers reported getting relentless inquiries from customers for the first couple weeks of the season.

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Many are worried that the spotted lanternfly will be infesting homes with real Christmas trees. Many Lehigh Valley tree farmers reported getting relentless inquiries from customers for the first couple weeks of the season.

Many are worried that the spotted lanternfly will be infesting homes with real Christmas trees. Many Lehigh Valley tree farmers reported getting relentless inquiries from customers for the first couple weeks of the season.

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2040 Greenawalds Avenue, South Whitehall

2040 Greenawalds Avenue, South Whitehall

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One of the homes on the 2018 Christmas Lights Tour.

One of the homes on the 2018 Christmas Lights Tour.

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Area high school students modify toys at the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21 in Schnecksville so children with disabilities can play for the holidays.

Area high school students modify toys at the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21 in Schnecksville so children with disabilities can play for the holidays.

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Brewers from Funk Brewing, Bonn Place, Two Rivers, Sage Alley, and Lost Tavern will be making a batch of RESILIENCE Beer, a special Sierra Nevada recipe to aid California fire victims. (April Gamiz / The Morning Call)

Brewers from Funk Brewing, Bonn Place, Two Rivers, Sage Alley, and Lost Tavern will be making a batch of RESILIENCE Beer, a special Sierra Nevada recipe to aid California fire victims. (April Gamiz / The Morning Call)

The commissoners' vote to refinance $67 million of debt through a TD Bank bank note should have a more dramatic impact on local politics. The county's financial advisers said the deal will save the county approximately $5.4 million. Executive Tom Muller wants to use it to improve the county's chances of getting a good bond rating when it looks to borrow money for capital improvements to Cedarbrook Nursing Home later this year.

Only John Donches, one of three residents who regularly attends commissioner meetings, commented on that change. But the room came alive when the redistricting resolution came up for discussion. Commissioner Dan Hartzell introduced the measure after seeing Northampton County pass one just like it last fall with little fanfare.

While Republicans have recently cemented their control over state politics thanks in part to redistricting, Democrat Hartzell said his own party would have done the same if presented the opportunity. By taking the process out of elected officials' hands, he said, voters will have the opportunity to select their leaders.

"Let's try something different," he said. "It almost can't be worse."

Before the meeting, Republicans offered general support for reform but raised questions about how to achieve it. The resolution was originally tied to a bill co-sponsored by state Sen. Lisa Boscola, D-Northampton, that most commissioners had not reviewed. When Commissioner David Jones recommended striking any language tying it to Boscola's bill, the resolution found overwhelming support.

The board generally avoids resolutions not tied to specific legislation. Commissioner Percy Dougherty noted the break from tradition after the meeting, but said the overwhelming need for reform made the resolution an exception.

"The difference is the system has broken down and everyone knows it," Dougherty said.

The lone vote against the resolution came from Commissioner Amanda Holt, who made her name in state politics by successfully challenging the state's redistricting practices in 2012. She feared terms in the bill intended to protect minority communities could lead to unintended abuses due to vagaries in terms, but she offered her support to the cause.